LL-L 'Etymology' 2006.08.05 (02) [E]

[Lowlands-L]

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A=Afrikaans Ap=Appalachian B=Brabantish D=Dutch E=English F=Frisian
L=Limburgish LS=Lowlands Saxon (Low German) N=Northumbrian
S=Scots Sh=Shetlandic V=(West) Flemish Z=Zeelandic (Zeeuws)
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L O W L A N D S - L * 05 August 2006 * Volume 03
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From: R. F. Hahn <sassisch at yahoo.com>
Subject: Etymology

Dear Lowlanders,

While dealing with the Sorani Kurdish translation, the latest addition to our
anniversary site (http://www.lowlands-l.net/anniversary/), I started wondering
why the idea of "king" is so widespread in naming the wren.  I can understand
commonalities in naming it after its habitat and food sources, also its size
(hence the idea of "little thumb"), but the "king(let)" part mystifies me.  Does
any of you have any answer or idea?  Furthermore, the origin of the word "wren"
is unclear, and I wonder if there are any theories.

Below please find a list in semantic order.  I have marked non-Germanic language
varieties by means of *.

Regards,
Reinhard/Ron

***

WREN ([diminutive]):
*Cornish (wrannen)
English (wren)
English, Middle (wrenne)
English, Old (wrenna, werna)
Gothic (wrainda)
Saxon, Old (wrendo, wrendilo)
Scots (wren)

"KING" [diminutive]:
Brabantish, Merchtem (köningske)
*Castilian (Spanish) (reyezuelo)
Cleves Franconian, Solingen (Köünsken)
Flemish, Western, Roeselare (keuninkske)
*French (roitelet)
German, Old (kuninglīhhīn)
*Kurdish (? malučka, meluçke)
*Norman, Jersey (raîté)
*Walloon (roytea)

"FENCE KING":
Cleves Franconian, Saarn (Tuunköönich)
German, Lower Bavarian (Zaunkini)
German, Modern Standard (Zaunkönig)
German, Saar (Zaunkeenich)
Low Saxon, Hadeln (Tuunkeunig)
Low Saxon, Mennonite (Tünkjenikj, Tuunkjeenig, Tüntjeenich, Tun-Tjeenich)
Low Saxon, Munsterland (Tuunküörning)
Saxon, Middle (thunkonninck)
Related:
*Turkish (çitkušu "fence/hedge bird")

"WINTER KING" ([diminutive]):
Brabantish, Antwerp (winterkeunikske)
Brabantish, Cuijk (winterkunningske)
Flemish, Western, Nieuwpoort (wienterkeunienksje)
Brabantish, Rosmalen (wenterkunningske)
Cleves Franconian, Liemers (winterkoninkske)
Cleves Franconian, Venlo (winterkeuningske)
Dutch, Standard (winterkoninkje)
Frisian, N., Feer/Föhr (wonterköning)
Frisian, W. (winterkeninkje)
Limburgish, Bilzen (wènterkiëninkske)
Limburgish, Brunssum (wintjerkuuëningske)
Limburgish, General (winterkuningske)
Limburgish, Vliermaal (wénterkeuninkske)

"NETTLE KING" ([diminutive]):
Cleves Franconian, Mülheim (Nitelekünich)
Low Saxon, Achterhoek (nettelkönninksken)
Low Saxon, Mecklenburg (Nettelkönig)
Low Saxon, Munsterland (Nettelkönning)
Low Saxon, Westphalian (Niätelküanig)

"FENCE CREEPER" ([diminutive]):
Low Saxon, Northern (Tuunkrüper)
Low Saxon, Eastern Friesland (Tuunkruper)
Low Saxon, Hoogeveen (tuunkroepertie)
Low Saxon, Norg (tuunkruperie)
Low Saxon, Zuidwolde (tuunkroepertien)
Related:
*Turkish (çitkušu "fence/hedge bird")

"THUMB" [diminutive]:
Low Saxon, Stellingwerven (doempien)
Low Saxon, Twente (duymke)
Zeelandic, Kwadendamme (duumtje)
Zeelandic, Oost Souburg (duumpje)

"TURD THUMB" [diminutive]:
Low Saxon, Groningen (keudeldoemke)
Related:
*Hungarian (ökörszem "bull grain/eye")
*Turkish (bokluca bülbül "turd bulbul/nightingale")

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